Carol Service at North Thoresby

This year's carol service was held at St Stephen's Church North Thoresby. The service  was lead by the Reverend Bob Emm.

At the begining of the service he told the congregation that he had been in the village for 30 years, and to his knowledge, this was the first time the our club had had a carol service in the church. It is an interesting church, small but felt homely with the rotary memebers and partners.

It was the traditional service of readings and carols.The first reading (by Past President Ian Birrell ) was from Isaiah when the Prophet foretells the coming off the Saviour. Bob  put this into context by reading a poem about the serpent in the garden and its effects upon Eve. He continued with his interjections throughout the service and these little touches were interesting, relevant  and thought provoking.

Bob did the final reading, which was from St John's Gospel, (before singing Hark the Herald Angels sing ) and read Thomas Hardy's poem about the oxen.This was written during the first World War but was set  about the 1850's. This put into a new context for me and he recommended that we all go home and read it, particuarly noting the punctutation.

An enjoyable service made all the more so by Rev. Bob Emm. He is to retire soon and I wished him all the best.